Dog Day Afternoon - and Morning

Find your canine avatar at the Museum of the Dog

It what may be the height of irony, the new Museum of the Dog in midtown Manhattan is not dog friendly.

Sure, the AKC Museum of the Dog welcomes all breed s- on its walls. But the museum, on the ground floor of an office building that also houses the headquarters of the American Kennel Club, doe't allow you to bring your own dog in.

That's fine. My yellow lab isn't much of an art aficionado anyway, and Park Avenue at 40th Street is too long a walk for her from Park Slope. But for young and old dog lovers alike the museum is a delight.

Interactive training video

Does your dog look like you?

There's an old saying that dogs resemble their owners. Not true in my case; no one in our family but the lab is blonde. But at the museum, you can take a photo and then be matched with your look-a-like dog. My curly hair paired me with an Irish water spaniel, then a Field Spaniel.

Training a pup

Kids and adults can try an interactive video, where you train a Labrador puppy. Parents, be careful if your kid shows an affinity for this. You may be adopting soon.

Sad dog at AKC Museum

Dog art

No this isn't artwork by dogs (though the late Koko the Gorilla could probably have drawn something). There are paintings and statues of dogs. One of the most poignant is 'Sorrow' - a dog resting his head on an empty chair. As pet parents, owners and scientists know, dogs feel emotions.

Learn about canine workers

Learn something, too

You can learn about different type of working dogs, or head to the library to read about dogs. And don't worry about leaving your pooch at home. You can also pick up a treat at the gift shop.